World Environment Day 2025: Plastic Cleanup Drives, Plantation Rituals, and a Parade of Awards – But Is It Enough?
Shimla, June 5 – Once again, World Environment Day was observed with plastic collection drives, slogan-writing contests, and ceremonial sapling plantings across Himachal Pradesh — but environmentalists ask, has it all become a yearly ritual without real impact?
At the ICFRE-Himalayan Forest Research Institute (HFRI), Shimla, over 80 scientists and staff stepped into the surrounding forest for a plastic clean-up, picking up PET bottles, wrappers, and other non-biodegradables. Director Dr. Sandeep Sharma led the charge, highlighting this year’s theme "Beat Plastic Pollution." He stressed the growing threat of microplastics to soil, water, wildlife, and even human bodies.
“Plastic is everywhere — from Mount Everest to the Mariana Trench,” warned Dr. Vaneet Jishtu, Head of Extension. “It’s even inside us now.”
Meanwhile, retired forest officers, led by former Chief Conservator BS Rana, planted Peepal saplings in Nature Park, Mohal — a symbolic act repeated each year. Schoolchildren from nearby Tegubehad Primary School were roped in, given a brief on the environment, and posed with the saplings.
Critics, however, say such events, while well-intentioned, don’t go beyond surface-level optics. “Saplings planted today with selfies will wither in neglect tomorrow. Where is the year-round follow-up?” quipped an environmental volunteer off-record.
Rituals Meet Recognition – Students Win, But What Next?
HIMCOSTE also rolled out its list of student competition winners for 2025. While the young minds showed promise, the events echoed the usual celebratory tone with little reflection on Himachal's growing plastic crisis in its fragile hills.
Painting Competition Winners:
Junior: Dhruv from GSSS Kanger (Una) topped, followed by Aruhi from GMS Sultanpur (Chamba) and Nami from HAPS Hiranagar (Hamirpur).
Senior: Roshni of GHS Navbahar (Shimla) won first, with Mehak Preet of St. Luke’s Solan and Aayush Negi of GSSS Pangi (Kinnaur) following.
Slogan Writing:
Junior: Harshita from GHS Kanah (Solan) came first. Sunakshi (Kangra) and Divya Jyoti (Kinnaur) were runners-up.
Senior: Diksha (Chamba) topped, followed by Palak (Hamirpur) and Parul (Kullu).
Photography:
Top spot went to Abhinav (Kinnaur), with Vikas (Solan), Iqshita (Shimla), and Sakshi (Kullu) earning honours.
Declamation:
Ishita (Solan) secured first, while Komal Mehta (Shimla), Aradhna Thakur (Kangra), and Anshika Sharma (Hamirpur) followed.
Green School Programme – Awards by CSE:
Best Green District: Solan
Land Manager: GHS Kanah, Solan
Changemaker School: GSSS Baldeyan, Shimla
Energy Manager: Doon Valley PS, Solan
Waste Warrior: GSSS Bhaleth, Hamirpur
Best Newcomer: GSSS Sarog, Shimla
Waterwise School: Shivalik Valley Public School, Solan
Yearly Ritual or Real Resolve?
Despite the good intentions and young talent, the state continues to grapple with banned plastic returning in full force, overflowing dump yards in the hills, and an ineffective waste segregation system.
“With no long-term waste management plans or enforcement, even the best eco-club report becomes a certificate for the shelf, not a call to action,” said a former HIMCOSTE official anonymously.
As the planet moves towards negotiating a global treaty on plastic by August, questions remain: Will these token activities be enough? Or are we stuck in a loop of cleaning today, dumping tomorrow?
> Until environmental action turns from event-based symbolism to everyday accountability, World Environment Day risks becoming just another checkbox.
